In partnership with the Consulate General of Spain and Centro Sefarad, the World Jewish Congress held an event honoring Sephardic heritage and celebrating Spain’s rich Jewish and Sephardic history. The event, which took place in the Jewish Heritage Musuem in New York City, also marked the current period of prosperity and growth for the Spanish Jewish community.
The occasion occurred as Spain currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, a pivotal element in the EU's decision-making structure. Several events have been hosted in this framework, including in Miami, Florida and Paris. In March 2023, as Spain prepared to take of the Presidency of the European Union, WJC held their Executive Committee in Madrid, where among other things, senior leadership met with His Majesty Felipe VI.
Maram Stern, WJC Executive Vice President, commenced the evening with a moment of silence for the victims of Hamas’ atrocities and the hostages in Gaza. He also applauded Spain’s commitment towards Israel and Spain’s Jewish citizens during its presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Expressing his hope for Spain to continue to be a friend of the Jewish people and Israel, Stern emphasized that the Sephardic community play a vital role in the Jewish community, and it's essential to recognize and appreciate their unique contributions
Pedro Calvo Sotelo, Cultural Consul, spoke on behalf of the Spanish Consulate, highlighting the active Jewish community in Spain and their substantial contributions to the country's cultural and political landscape. His remarks delved into the intricate interplay between contemporary Spanish culture and the enduring influences of Jewish tradition.
The evening continued with a musical interlude by Sarah Aroeste, who performed songs that evoked the longing of Spanish Jews scattered around the world for their homeland, including some with lyrics in Ladino that she learned from her grandparents.
Following Aroeste’s performance, Sefarad-Israel Center Director Jaime Moreno Bau and Rabbi Isaac Choua, Middle East & North Africa Communities Liaison, engaged in a discussion, moderated by WJC Jewish Diplomatic Corps Member Jennifer Sutton, on Sephardic heritage and Jewish life in Spain. The conversation explored nuanced aspects, from the meaning of 'Sepharad' to strategies for highlighting Sephardic heritage and the impact of Spain's rich Jewish history on contemporary culture. Notably, they discussed Centro Sefarad's exhibition, "The Golden Age of Jews of Al-Andalus," shedding light on its relevance in preserving Sephardic heritage.
